The global energy market is undergoing a massive shift with the emergence of decarbonization, decentralization, and new technologies. Utilities, independent power producers (IPPs), and other energy companies are exploring effective ways to manage the imbalance in demand and supply caused by the growing use of unpredictable renewable energy source (RES) in power generation.

“In combination with other technologies like Big Data, cloud, and Internet of Things (IoT), AI can support the active management of electricity grids by improving the accessibility of renewable energy sources,” said Swagath Navin Manohar, Research Analyst (Energy & Environment), while referring to Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis – Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Energy and Utilities, 2018.

The analysis includes a detailed analysis of current and future applications of AI across the segments of renewables management, demand management, and infrastructure management. It examines technology, geographical, as well as industry trends, key companies that dominate the global AI market, and presents use cases with specific applications of AI.

Over the next several years, AI is expected to boost efficiencies across the renewable energy sector by automating operations in the solar and wind industries. It will also allow utilities and IPPs to launch new business and service models.

“In addition to making the electricity system intelligent and flexible, AI algorithms help utilities and energy companies understand and optimize consumer behavior and manage energy consumption across different sectors,” noted Manohar.

“Meanwhile, complex machine learning algorithms combined with real-time weather data from satellites, ground-based observation, and climate models can be used to forecast the electricity generated by RES like wind, solar, and ocean.”

Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Energy and Utilities, 2018 is part of Frost & Sullivan’s global Power Generation Growth Partnership Service program.

With decarbonization, decentralization, and the rollout of novel technologies, utilities, independent power producers (IPPs), and other energy companies are employing AI to manage the imbalance in demand and supply caused by the growing share of renewable energy sources.

Baiju NT is the editor in chief and the driving force of Big Data Made Simple. He was one among many big data enthusiasts at Crayon Data, his parent company, to understand the pressing need for a big data resource website at a time when the idea of “big data” was gaining so much attention, and eventually launched Big Data Made Simple in 2013.